Buried Pain

"How have you been?" Xavier broke the silence, his voice deep and gravelly.

Aric remained quiet for a moment, as though he genuinely pondered the question, searching for an answer.

"Not too bad," Aric replied, his tone laced with bitter sarcasm. "I'm sure you're aware of my situation though, Father."

Xavier's face betrayed no discernible emotion. He simply looked forward before speaking.

"Whether it was bad luck or the opposite, you were born a Valerian prince. And what that means is that you must learn to survive, to thrive, even if the odds are stacked against you."

'What bullshit.'

'What would it have cost to visit?'

'To make sure I wasn't starving... wasn't dying...'

Aric had many thoughts raging in his mind, ones he wished he could scream at the emperor at the top of his lungs. However, composed as he usually was, he simply replied with two words.

"I understand." The fourth prince inhaled deeply before letting out a long sigh.

As Xavier watched, it was clear what the boy was doing—suppressing whatever was left of the emotions he felt.

Xavier glanced at Aric, then turned his gaze to the city beyond.

"You know, we think quite alike."

Aric looked up at the emperor, a skeptical glance.

"Your pitched approach was rather intriguing. It was an interesting display, to say the least."

Aric chuckled, a huff of amusement.

"Well, I'm glad my well-thought-out strategy is just entertainment for His Majesty," Aric muttered.

Xavier laughed.

"Back then, even when you were little, sometimes you acted like her—your mother, I mean," Xavier said, turning to look at Aric.

A silence fell between them, one of unspoken pain. It was as though both wanted to say something but failed to find the words.

"Well, if I'm lucky, I won't end up like she did," Aric broke the tense silence.

And then, just for that singular moment, the stoic, unreadable face of the emperor showed sadness.

"I have always wondered what you plan to do about that," Xavier spoke lowly, his tone growing darker.

Aric laughed, his face colored with amusement.

"You really shouldn't be encouraging me to seek revenge."

"You know what I am. My hands are tied, yours aren't."

Xavier's tone was serious, clear.

Silence, a constant intruder in their conversation, settled again. The emperor seemed lost in thought before snapping back moments later.

"Well, I came here to give you some advice," Xavier remembered.

"Please, Your Grace," Aric beckoned him, eager to hear it.

"For someone who lacks it, you seem to have constructed a dependency on power... It is foolish not to understand the value of other means," the emperor began.

Aric raised a brow. "Is this concerning the Byzeth Kingdom? What is it you plan to do then?"

Xavier shook his head.

"I don't plan on doing anything," he raised his hand, pointing to Aric. "You, however, have seven days to journey to Byzeth and quell even the slightest whisper of rebellion."

Aric's face contorted in confusion.

"I'm not certain I understand you," Aric sought clarification.

"You must go to the Byzeth Kingdom and completely stop the rebellion."

Aric turned to the emperor.

"You're saying I should lead an army?" he questioned.

Xavier shook his head.

"No, you will do this with no assistance whatsoever from the empire."

Aric, completely and utterly shocked, managed to mutter again, "I don't understand."

"I'm certain you very quickly will, son. See, this is the greatest gift I can give you, and if you are worthy of it, you will receive it."

Aric attempted to speak in contest of the emperor's words but was shunned by the raising of his hand.

"This decision is final. You have seven days to depart," the emperor turned away from Aric, then suddenly paused, turning back and placing his hand on the fourth prince's shoulder.

"Also next time you arrive late to an event I am hosting, I won't be so considerate."

'What... is this?'

Aric felt as though the world around him had faded, burned, and incinerated to nothing but dust. Perhaps it was the emperor's ki or maybe something else, but what he felt and saw impaired his ability to think or breathe—a raging inferno of pure flames, one that seemed as though it could consume the world.

Aric did not possess ki, and yet he felt the emperor's power so potently.

Then, as the emperor raised his hand from his shoulder, it all seemed to go back to normal. The raging inferno had become no more, leaving Xavier with a subtle smile on his face as he walked away.

'Just how strong is he...'

As Aric contemplated what he had just witnessed, a screen materialized before his eyes.

[You have received a main quest]

[Title: Overthrowing a Kingdom]

[You now have 24 hours to complete former ongoing M-quest]

[Failure will result in a 40-point health decrease]

Aric gazed at the screens, the last of which speaking of his impending death if he were to fail, an exhausted sigh escaping his lips, he turned away from them.

"It's no problem since everything is prepared. I guess tomorrow will be the day I see the look on your face, won't it, Darius my bastard brother?" Aric mumbled through a large grin.